SYNTHESIS OF SIZE CONTROLLED NANOPARTICLES IN AN INSULATING MATRIX

We propose in this paper an original way to elaborate cermet thin film s: cluster deposition. Bi-SiOx cermets have been produced by codeposit ion of neutral Bi-900 clusters and SiOx molecules. A Transmission Elec tron Microscopy study shows that these new cermets are formed by isola ted Bi grains which size corresponds to that of the incident clusters. Then, this technique allows a control of the size of the metallic par ticles in the nanometric range. By in-situ measurements of the resista nce during deposition as a function of the thickness, we have determin ed the percolation threshold of these cermet thin films for different metallic volume concentrations.